United Nations S/2009/597

Security Council Distr.: General 18 November 2009 Original: English

09-60955 (E) 241109 *0960955*

Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for the period from 1 July 2009 to 31 December 2009

I. Introduction

1. The present report gives an account of the activities of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) during the past six months pursuant to the mandate contained in Security Council resolution 350 (1974) and extended in subsequent resolutions, most recently in resolution 1875 (2009) of 23 June 2009.

II. Situation in the area and activities of the Force

2. During the period under review the ceasefire in the Israel-Syria sector was maintained and the UNDOF area of operation remained generally quiet. UNDOF supervised the area of separation by means of fixed positions and patrols to ensure that military forces of either party were excluded from it. The Force also carried out fortnightly inspections of equipment and force levels in the areas of limitation. Liaison officers from the party concerned accompanied the inspection teams. As in the past, both sides denied inspection teams access to some of their positions and imposed restrictions on the Force’s freedom of movement. UNDOF continued to adapt its operational posture to the ongoing Israel Defense Forces (IDF) training activities in the area of limitation on the Alpha side and Syrian civilian development growth in proximity to the ceasefire line in the area of separation. Both sides continued to construct new and renovate existing defensive positions in the respective areas of limitation. Israeli national Customs officials continue to operate periodically at the IDF post at the UNDOF crossing gate between the Israeli-occupied Golan and the Syrian Arab Republic.

3. The Force continued to assist the International Committee of the Red Cross with the passage of persons through the area of separation. During the past six months, UNDOF assisted in the crossing of 464 students, 1,044 pilgrims and 6 civilians. UNDOF also provided medical treatment to 164 civilians.

4. In the area of operation, especially in the area of separation, mines continued to pose a threat to UNDOF personnel and local inhabitants. Owing to the long-term presence of the mines and the deterioration of their detonation systems, the threat has increased. UNDOF continued to carry out operational mine clearance. UNDOF

S/2009/597

09-60955 2

remained available to support the United Nations Children’s Fund in activities to promote mine awareness among the civilian population.

5. The UNDOF Force Commander and his staff maintained close contact with the military authorities of Israel and of the Syrian Arab Republic. Both sides generally cooperated with the Force in the execution of its tasks.

6. The Philippines replaced the Polish contingent at the same strength, configured to maximize operational capacity pursuant to a technical review of UNDOF logistics components in May 2009. As at 10 November 2009, UNDOF comprised 1,040 troops, from Austria (384), Canada (2), Croatia (95), India (193), Japan (31), Philippines (333) and Poland (2). A total of 15 personnel are being employed by Japan as a national support element. In addition, 75 military observers from the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) assisted the Force in carrying out its tasks. The troop-contributing countries were briefed on UNDOF operational developments and activities during the period.

III. Financial aspects

7. The General Assembly, by its resolution 63/297 of 30 June 2009, appropriated the amount of $45.0 million for the maintenance of UNDOF for the period from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010. Therefore, should the Security Council approve my recommendation set out in paragraph 12 below with respect to the extension of the mandate of UNDOF, the cost for the maintenance of the Force during the extension period will be limited to resources approved by the General Assembly.

8. As at 30 September 2009, unpaid assessed contributions to the special account for UNDOF amounted to $19.9 million. The total outstanding assessed contributions for all peacekeeping operations as at that date amounted to $2,463.7 million. As at 31 October 2009, amounts owed to troop contributors to UNDOF totalled $2.3 million. Reimbursement of troop and contingent-owned equipment costs have been made for the period up to August 2009 and June 2009, respectively, in accordance with the quarterly payment schedule.

IV. Implementation of Security Council resolution 338 (1973)

9. The Security Council, when deciding in its resolution 1875 (2009) to renew the mandate of UNDOF for a further period of six months, until 31 December 2009, also called upon the parties concerned to implement immediately its resolution 338 (1973) and requested me to submit, at the end of the period, a report on developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement that resolution. The search for a peaceful settlement in the Middle East, in particular the efforts undertaken at various levels to implement resolution 338 (1973), was dealt with in my report on the situation in the Middle East (A/64/343) submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolutions 63/30 and 63/31.

V. Observations

10. The situation in the Israel-Syria sector has remained generally quiet. UNDOF, which was established in May 1974 to supervise the ceasefire called for by the

S/2009/597

3 09-60955

Security Council and the agreement on disengagement between Syrian and Israeli forces of 31 May 1974, has continued to perform its functions effectively, with the cooperation of the parties.

11. Nevertheless, the situation in the Middle East is tense and is likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached. I hope that determined efforts will be made by all concerned to tackle the problem in all its aspects, with a view to arriving at a just and durable peace settlement, as called for by the Security Council in its resolution 338 (1973). In this context, I encourage the parties to resume the indirect peace talks, initiated under the auspices of Turkey, aimed at a comprehensive peace in accordance with the Madrid Conference terms of reference for peace.

12. Under the prevailing circumstances, I consider the continued presence of UNDOF in the area to be essential. I therefore recommend that the Security Council extend the mandate of the Force for a further period of six months, until 30 June 2010. The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic has given its assent to the proposed extension. The Government of Israel has also expressed its agreement. It is hoped that both sides will continue to make efforts to ease the limitations on the mobility of the Force and facilitate the movement of its supplies.

13. In making this recommendation, I must draw attention to the shortfall in the funding of the Force. As at 30 September 2009, unpaid assessments amounted to $19.9 million. At the same time, as at 31 October 2009, $2.3 million is owed to the troop contributors to UNDOF. The outstanding contributions impede the ability of the Secretariat to support the operations of the Force and to reimburse Member States contributing troops to the Force.

14. In conclusion, I wish to pay tribute to Major General Wolfgang Jilke and to the men and women serving with UNDOF and UNTSO. They have performed with efficiency and devotion to duty the important tasks assigned to them by the Security Council. I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to the Governments contributing troops to UNDOF, and to those which provide the UNTSO military observers assigned to the Force. I would also like to convey my gratitude to Poland for its long-standing commitment to UNDOF, and the valour and dedication of its troops who have served with the Mission since its establishment in 1974.

S/2009/597

09-60955 4

Map No. 2916 Rev. 69 UNITED NATIONSNovember 2009

Department of Field SupportCartographic Section

Trans-A

rabian P

ipel ine

Trans-A

rabian P

ipel ine

G O L A N

MOUNT

HERMON

Jaba-

Sa'sa'

'Arnah

Mazra'at Bayt Jinn

Majdal Chams

Mas'adah

Mansoura Hamidiyah

BaathCity

Jabata al Khashab-

BaytJinn

Shab'a-

Hadar¸¸

Harfa-

Taranjah¸

KhanArnabah

-

Al Qunaytirah¸

Masharah¸

Buq'ata- -

Wasit-

'Ayn Ziwan-

Kafr Nasij-

Umm Batinah¸-

Nab as Sakhr¸¸

Umm Tinah

Bi'r al 'Ajam

Burayqah

Kudnah

Al Asbah

Butmiyah

Nawá

Fazarah

Al Khushniyah

Ar Rafid

Al Harrah-

Jukhadar--

KafrNaffakh-

Kefar el Ma

Umm Sharq

Al 'Al

Fiq

Tasil

Ash SajarahSaham al Jawlan¸ -

Baytima--

Hinah¸ -

Ufaniyah- - -

Ar Ruwayhinah-

Khisfin-

Artuz¸-

Kanakir-

Al Kiswah

Kafr Shams

As Sanamayn¸¸

Qasim-

An Nakhl

Tafas¸

Da'il-

Zakiyah-

Ash Shaykh Miskin-

LEBANON

SYRIANARAB

REPUBLIC

JORDAN

Raqqad

Abram

Thahab

Aalane

Rw

ag

Yarmou k

1036m

1136m

1096m

810m

730m

708m

637m

483m

461m

337m

400m

498m

420m

929m

758m

860m554m

1158m

1072m

1016m

1211m

1105m915m

1226m

2814m

2224m

1841m

1572m

1123m 989m

1072m

1012m

903m

892m

797m

815m

834m

806m832m

1002m851m

719m

816m

1381m

1841m

2269m

2201m

756m

981m

973m

836m

33o 25'

33o 20'

33o 15'

33o 10'

33o 05'

33o 00'

32o 55'

32o 50'

32o 45'

35o 45' 35o 50' 35o 55' 36o 00' 36o 05' 36o 10' 36o 15'

35o 45' 35o 50' 35o 55' 36o 00' 36o 05' 36o 10' 36o 15'

33o 20'

33o 15'

33o 10'

33o 05'

33o 00'

32o 55'

32o 50'

32o 45'

300000 N

250000 N

240 260 270

310

290

280

270

260

240

240

240

260

270

280

290

310

230220 260 270

230220 250000 E

250000 E

250000 N

300000 N

0

0

2 4 6

1 2 3 4

8 km

5 mi

PALESTINE BELT GRID

The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area of its authorities, or concerning the de-limitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

60

5537B

CampFaouar

12HB

HS

HH

17

1071

1673

31

30

3732A

72

3225

62

56

22

22D

Line"Alpha"

Line"Bravo"

PHILBATT

Line"Bravo"

AUSBATT

Line"Alpha"

60A51

68

69

52

53

82A82B

80

54

57

85

85A

80A

58

55

Camp Ziouani

LOG INDIA - JAPAN (-)

PHILIPPINES

AUSTRIA

PHILIPPINES

CROATIA

MP "A"

MP "C"

Line"Alpha 1"

AUSTRIA - CROATIA (-)

HQ OGG

HQ UNDOF

MP "B"

LOG INDIA - JAPAN

FHQ PHILIPPINES - AUSTRIA - CROATIA

6027

AUSTRIA

PHILIPPINES